At what mileage did you replace chain and or sprokets?

I'm about due for replacement and I'm at 30,000 miles.

If your going the OEM route, I think it's much cheaper to get the chain and sprocket set and replace them all at once than get the items individually.

 

I've got a new chain and front sprocket waiting for the snow to go away. My '13 has only 20k KMs. I only put 1/2 those miles on the bike, but I suspect the previous owner may not have done enough maintenance. The stock chain has developed a couple of kinks, and the front sprocket looks a wee bit warn, so I'll swap it out when I do the chain. The rear looks brand new; no signs of wear.

Picked up a DID XRing chain, JT sprocket and a couple of clip-links from Amazon. Shipped they were less than my local dealership.

 

Most people will find their chain and sprocket last somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000 miles if they follow the manufacturer recommendation.


On the other hand if you never waste your time and efforts cleaning the chain and instead only lube with every tank of gas and after every ride in the rain (I use Wurth HHS2000) you can expect your chain and rear sprocket to last somewhere between 41,000 and 50,000 miles. Front sprockets seem to be done between 35,000 and 40,000 miles.

..Tom

 

Wow, huge spread. I'm a Teflon chain lube guy and I do the second tank of gas vs the one tank that Tom does. I always lube after a dirt road or rain run.
Please keep the info coming guys and "thanks" to you folks that already posted!
What do you guys use for replacements? OEM or aftermarket? What price on parts are good prices. Its been quite a long time that I've run a chain final drive. I've been on shaft and belt final drives for a couple decades. ................Mike

 

US$180 or so is ball park for top quality chain & sprockets. DID, EK, RK, JT, Renthal, Regina are all very good. Lower tier but good value are the chains from the big wholesalers...Parts Unlimited, Bike Master, WPS. Pretty sketchy are the o-ring no-name chains off eBay.

If your chain has some stiff links, or lets you pull the chain away from the rear sprocket at the 3:00 position, or has red rust dust coming out of the rollers, it's time for a new one. Generally it's wise to renew the sprockets at the same time; worn sprockets wear a chain faster.

The DuPont yellow label chain lube is OK. The blue label stuff was weakened a couple of years ago and is no longer recommended for chains.

 

I did 25.600 miles on the OEM chain and sprockets.
At that point I had red rust dust coming out of the rollers and the chain needed frequent adjustment - the sprockets still looked good.

I replaced it with OEM sprockets and a DID X-ring chain. This combo have now done 15.550 miles. It still looks like new and I have only had to do one small adjustment to keep the chain slack within spec.
Based on previous experience with DID chains I expect it to last at least 35.000 miles.

I always replace chain and sprockets at the same time.

If your chain has some stiff links, or lets you pull the chain away from the rear sprocket at the 3:00 position, or has red rust dust coming out of the rollers, it's time for a new one. Generally it's wise to renew the sprockets at the same time; worn sprockets wear a chain faster.

I second that.
Stiff links result in tight spots when controlling the chain slack.
Excessive wear on the sprockets is another indicator that it's time for replacement.

 

I had a kinked link at 24,000 miles. The sprockets were OK, but I replaced them along with the new EK chain I purchased from Blair at SV Racing. I was intrigued by the screw type master link offered with the EK chains. 10,000 miles on the new chain. Master link looks good.

 

60,000k's. New front sprocket (only) @ ~35,000.

The old chain and sprockets would have gone further, but I blinked first. The only sign of problems when the chain was off was that it was uniformly stiff. You could lay it on the ground, lift it in the centre and the bend would stay there.

The new chain was like a wet noodle in comparison.

Pete

 

Great info guys! Appreciate all the tips and prices. I'm using the Yellow label DuPont chain lube so I guess I'm good-to-go there..........Mike

 

The OEM ones are crap, I replaced mine at 15,000 miles and they had been dead for 1,000 miles before that, but I was on a trip and wanted to make it home.

Quality aftermarket should see 25,000+ miles, easy.

 

A neglected chain might go 10,000 miles. A well maintained chain will go 30,000 miles plus. I baby my chain and I'm at 30,000 with life left. I'll probably change it this spring for peace of mind.

 

I replaced my chain and sprockets as a set at about 50,000Km. Don't know if the previous owner did it before or not. I had several stiff links and seemed to be growing new ones no matter what spray lube I used. When I pulled it off the link I pressed out showed the sealed in grease had dried out. Switched to a chain oiler with the new chain.

 

I really appreciate all the input guys. Thank you very much for your time and suggestions...Mike

 

For my peace of mind I will change chain and sprockets at 25k.

 

I just bought a DID chain and sprocket set for $123 on eBay. Part# DKS-005.

D.I.D DID 525 VX Chain 118L JT Sprocket Kit 15T/47T DL650 V-Storm 07-12 525VX

You can get the same thing on Amazon for $137

http://www.amazon.com/D-I-D-DKS-005...S-005-525VX-Chain-Sprocket/dp/B00E0IK9DQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_awdcod_M9R1ub0ANGKMR_tt

 

Thanks for the numbers timspong.

 

My OEM chain lasted 21000 miles using the blue label Dupont Teflon lube that's not recommended. There were signs of red dust of death for about 1000 miles before I swapped the chain and sprockets as a set.

Best price I have found for a DID chain with JT sprockets is on Amazon. Amazon.com: D.I.D (DKS-005) 525VX Chain and 15/47T Sprocket Kit: Automotive

 

Thats funny, Amazon states this package does not fit a 2013 Glee, but then again it's Amazon. Known for good prices, and that's about all.

 

I've got 30,000 miles on mine. Just throw some of my used motor oil on whatever part of the chain is exposed when I get home from riding. (no center stand) I mostly ride 200-300 each ride so I guess the entire chain gets lubed every 600 miles. Chain is still ok but needed adjustment twice recently, sprockets still good. Bike stays outside in all weather. I'll order a new set for springtime as i have a 2 k ride scheduled.

Whoever said the original chain is crap is just plain wrong.

 

I've got 30,000 miles on mine. Just throw some of my used motor oil on whatever part of the chain is exposed when I get home from riding. (no center stand)...Whoever said the original chain is crap is just plain wrong.

Mine's at 27k miles (original OEM chain) and all seems fine.

Yeah, I just use used motor oil too, and my bike too has no center stand, but I just remove the aft / rear screw from the chain guard and hinge the guard up, then pour motor oil on the portion of the chain on the 12:00 to 3:00 position of the rear sprocket (positions as I'm facing the sprocket from left side of bike obviously). Just roll the bike aft a few inches 8 times or so and repeat oil application until I've soaked the entire chain, then hinge the guard back down and install the single screw. Takes maybe 5 minutes per fuel-up but the chain appears to be in great shape. Very quiet and smooth. Sprockets look good, etc. This process wouldn't work well for those with pristine garages and driveways but it works fine for me.

I'm inclined to agree about the OEM chains. I've never cleaned mine but have lubed it well for the past 20k miles or so (don't know what, if anything, was done before that), and I hesitate to guess at what its life will be, but 35k seems like a sure thing, and I have no plans to replace it anytime soon.

 

Mcx7

Is there any reason to choose 30-40 eur worth so called silent OEM front sprocket with rubber dampfer instead of 10 eur worth aftermarket sprocket. Some users say, that OEM is much quieter than simple steel sprocket. What about italian Ogibene sprockets, if somebody has experience.

 

Is there any reason to choose 30-40 eur worth so called silent OEM front sprocket with rubber dampfer instead of 10 eur worth aftermarket sprocket. Some users say, that OEM is much quieter than simple steel sprocket. What about italian Ogibene sprockets, if somebody has experience.

The only reason to choose the rubber damped sprocket is less chain noise.
Personally I think it's worth the extra $$.

 

Thanks for all the additional posts. I've got the info I was looking for!

 

Listen to V-Tom.

 

Yep. I do.

 

DIY Chain Oiler

I'm hoping this little contraption (that cost less than $15) will help increase the life of my OEM chain and sprockets!

 

I didn't bother with the OEM front sprocket and can't hear the difference. What I did notice was the significant cost difference. I wouldn't go back to the rubber clad one but if it matters to you, go ahead.

 

Made a BIG difference on my K6, noise was really obnoxious, the L2, not so much.

Pete

 

I'm at 19k miles and have a chain and sprockets from SV racing ready to go on before spring. My chain wasn't getting loose but it was very noisy and getting stiff. I probably didn't lube it as often as I should have. And I ride on a lot of dirt.

 

I basically run the chain until I run out of adjustment and then I change everything at once.

I have done this from the early 80's before the advent of o ring chains and I have never had a chain snap on me.

I was a motorcycle courier in Scotland back in the day and during the harsh winters I could end up adjusting my non-oring chains 3 or 4 times a day.

I remember changing my back tire about once a month. So I literally spent more money on back tires than I did on gas. I guess both chain and tire technology has come a long way since then.

 

I was a motorcycle courier in Scotland back in the day and during the harsh winters I could end up adjusting my non-oring chains 3 or 4 times a day.

That would've made an interesting blog. :thumbup:

 

That was way before the Internet LOL! Come to think of it, it was way before personal computers although I think my girlfriends brother had a Commodore 64. Also, it was way before email and cell phones etc so us motorcycle couriers had plenty of work.